Tweets:
I'm up-dating my cell phone service at Verizon. I complained about lack of coverage
in places like E WA. They told me they are always adding new cell towers, and to
dial *228 at least once a month to update my phone. Option #2 on that menu allows
you to "update roaming info" or something like that. You click on 2 and it programs
your phone w/ the new towers.
There are still big gaps in coverage in E WA. The latest Verizon map shows gaps in
mountainous areas and even out east of Yakima. I know you can sometimes find certain
spots in a town where there is coverage in a small spot. Along the N Cascades Hwy, I
was told there was coverage under some power lines. Up at Mt Rainier, there is
coverage at a small spot at the visitor's center.
At any rate, find out how to update your phones to the lastest cell phone coverage
for your plan. I was told by the Verizon guys to do the *228 about once a month.
Yours, Carol Schulz
Des Moines, WA
linusq at att.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Downes" <downess at charter.net>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 8:27 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] re: Missing the Birdbox


Tim,
Your point on the birdbox was well taken my me and it was the subject of quite a bit
of time at 2-3 board meeting this year for WOS. I wanted to comment as not only
somebody involved in those WOS discussions, but also somebody who lives and birds in
Eastern WA (as you do as well).
As for Bob's question today on updates, this also came up last year on the Variegated
Flycatcher. People are eager to chase the bird if given an update, however those that
bird the Columbia Basin know that some places cell phone coverage is spotty and not
all birders have cell phones always with them. I do want to thank Hal for Tweeters
alerts as I think it will grow to be something that is able to be used for quick
alerts. In the future, coverage will probably also improve as well. In migration
though, I would like to mention that sometimes it really doesn't matter how quickly
birds are reported. Scott Downes
downess at charter.net
Yakima WA